Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1368118
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 MAY 2021 NEWS PAUL COCKS A new private college specialis- ing in sports is to be developed on the site of the St Aloysi- us College Sports Complex in Birkirkara following an agree- ment between the college and Vassallo Group's education and training subsidiary, Learning Works Limited. Under the agreement, Learning Works will develop and operate the Mediterranean College of Sport (MCS), which will provide various sports facilities, including a new football ground, swimming pool, various gymnasia and a new sport science centre, all of which will be served by underground parking. A dormitory with 63 beds is also included in the plans. The new plans also feature ex- tensive renovations and upgrad- ing of existing facilities at the current Sports Complex, includ- ing the Sports Pavilion – a large indoor hall designed for handball, basketball and other sports – the gymnasium, cafeteria, and more. Documents filed with the Plan- ning Authority call for the ex- tension of two floors of the ex- isting sports complex, to include indoor, football and basketball pitch, an outdoor 7-a-side foot- ball pitch and a swimming pool. The project, as proposed, will also include the construction of three new floors on top of exist- ing garages adjacent to the sports complex, to house a dormitory with 63 beds and 28 new class- rooms. The plans also include a child care centre, offices and a two-storey car park for 193 vehi- cles. As part of this agreement, both students attending St Aloysius College and the Mediterrane- an College of Sport will benefit from the use of the latest state- of-the-art facilities. After school hours, the complex will also be open to sport organisations and the general public. Fr Jimmy Bartolo, the College's Rector, said that as a result of this agreement, not only will St Aloysius College be seeing to the required maintenance and works related to existing facil- ities built around 25 years ago, but also creating a much larger and overall more prestigious sports complex. "I am particularly proud of the fact that we will be able to do so while remaining true to our Col- lege's vision and mission, and that we have invested in sports as key to the holistic and inclu- sive education that we provide," he said. Pio Vassallo, Chairman of Vassallo Group and Learning Works' Chairman said the com- pany was excited with the initi- ative, believing that education and sports play a crucial role in society. "We will therefore invest the Group's various resources and skills in creating a unique sports complex for Malta, for the ben- efit and enjoyment of many stu- dents and the general public," the St Aloysius College alumnus said. "My involvement in this pro- ject gives me great personal sat- isfaction as it will be of immense benefit to the College responsi- ble for my own education." Once the PA approves the plans, works are expected to last two years. St Aloysius College and Vassallo Group announce plans for sports college The Meditterranean College of Sport will include indoor football and basketball pitches, an outdoor 7-a-side football pitch, a swimming pool, dormitory with 63 beds, 28 new classrooms, a child care centre, offices and a two- storey car park for 193 vehicles Above: Photomontage of the proposed Mediterranean College of Sport on the grounds of St Aloysius College • Right: Photomontage showing the view of the proposed development as seen from the St Aloysius College secondary school